Business»
Airlines operators threaten to ground their aircraft
KATHMANDU, JAN 03 - The airlines operators have warned the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) of grounding their aircraft from January 11, if the government sticks with its previous decision to allow operation of ramp bus by a third party.
"The airlines operators will not operate their aircraft at all, if CAAN ousts the ramp busses of the individual airlines and compels to use contractor’s service," said Vijaya Sherstha, Vice President of Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN).
He was referring to CAAN’s decision regarding the enforcement of its decision to operate ramp bus service in between the aircraft and the terminal building only by the contractors - Swastika Trade Concern and Thapa Constructions – from January 11.
With the new decision only a single company would be allowed to operate bus services to carry passengers inside the TIA. Until now, each Airlines Company used to operate its own busses for the transfer of passengers from the aircraft to the arrival lounge.
A total of 13 buses owned by the different domestic airlines companies are currently in operation inside the Tribhuvan International Airport. These companies have provided employment to 67 people.
Amidst a controversy, the CAAN had few months back awarded the contract of ramp bus services of Rs 2.5 million to the said companies. The contract winners have already imported 11 buses for the purpose.
Sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal claimed that the decision has violated the norms set by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to annex 9 of ICAO regulations, CAAN cannot award such license to agencies other than those directly involved with the airport.
Meanwhile, the CAAN has claimed that the latest decision was taken with consent from the domestic airlines companies. However, the CAAN official added that they have taken issue seriously.
"We have sent a letter to each airlines asking them to submit their grievances within the fifth of January," said Keshab Poudel, Chief of Tribhuvan International Airport. After the written complaints, we will sit and discuss on the issue with the domestic airliners.Posted on: 2004-01-04 04:28
Headlines
Advertisements
